It's an advent calendar. Each sock is a different day. To be filled with a chocolatey treat, a christmas decoration, or an activity, a small gift or whatever you would like.

I typed up a list of suggested activities. Some that I have used, some I have not. I tried to keep them family friendly. "Have a glass of Bailey's" is probably not appropriate for the under 10 set. But "Have hot chocolate with all the fixings" is.

I ended up not using the little pegs with santa faces because they were not strong enough to hold the socks. I was sad. They were so cute. They are sitting on my dining room table waiting for a project. The socks are all bagged up and on their way to the recipients. I hope they enjoy it next year.

December 21, 2011

Happy Winter Solstice. Happy shortest day of the year (or longest, if you're on the southern hemisphere). Happy first day of winter.

Tonight after work Morag and I went to see the Festival of Lights at VanDusen Gardens. I've not been before. It was with going to. Word of warning... The queue to get in was huge. About an hour. Buy your tickets in advance. Don't wait to buy them at the door.

We were there about half an hour. We might have stayed longer but we were so bloody cold. The lake had started to freeze over.

The display uses over a million LED lights. Good thing they're LED, could you imagine the electricity bill?

It was spectacular. We were there for two of the half hour dancing light shows. I could have watched the lights for hours. Jo, you would have absolutely hated it. Good thing you are not here.

December 19, 2011

This is my Christmas Stocking list. No, it's not a wish list of gifts to buy for me. It's a list of things I would like to do before Christmas. Being that Christmas is less than a week away, these are not all happening.

December 18, 2011

Day 17 and 18 kind of overlapped. 17 was to spend time with a friend or family member. 18 to phone a friend or family member for a chat just because.

Day 17:
I had a quick visit with Barb and Stew. They dropped off some Cranberry Pudding and a bag of goodies for me for Christmas.

Morag arrived from London.

We went for drinks with Wade and Rose and Paul. (Morag tried pretty hard to stay awake, but ended up taking a quick power nap at the pub).

Day 18:
Phoned my Mum in Aus.
Phoned Andrea O in Langley.
Tried to phone Jane in England
Tried to phone Jo in Aus.
Tried to phone Narelle in Aus.

Spent the evening at the Christmas Market with Morag and Rose. We drank feuerzangenbowle and hot apple cider, ate pretzels, bought a Christmas decoration, rode the carousel and helped Rose buy a Christmas tree.

I wish I had more time to spend with everyone. I need to make more time. Okay, so that's going to be my New Years resolution for 2012. Phone my friends and family more often. Spend more time with them.